Mary rescues a priest from sin, Mary: Day 091

Mary rescues a priest from sin

St. Alphonsus recounts a story from the life of St. Francis Borgia, when a priest who was desperately in need of repentance receives help from Mary.

“Father,” a priest once confessed to an associate of St. Francis Bor- gia, “I’m a priest and a preacher, but I’m living in sin, and I despair of God’s mercy. One day I preached a sermon against those who are obstinate in sin and afterward despair of God’s mercy. Then someone came to me for Confession. Having told me all my own sins, he said he despaired of God’s mercy. As was my duty, I told him he must change his life and trust in God. On hearing this, the penitent stood up and reproved me, saying: ‘You who preach to others, why don’t you change your life and trust in God? I am an angel who has come to help you. Change your life, and you will be forgiven.’ With these words he disappeared.

“I gave up my sins for a few days, but an occasion presented itself, and I fell again. On another day I was saying Mass, and Jesus Christ, in the Sacred Host, audibly said to me: ‘Why do you mistreat me this way, when I treat you so well?’ After this I resolved to change my ways, but on the next occasion, I fell again.

“A few hours ago I was in my room when a young man appeared. He drew a chalice from his cloak, and from it a consecrated Host, saying: ‘Do you know this Lord whom I hold in my hand? Do you remember the many graces he has granted you? But now receive the punishment due to your ingratitude!’ With these words he drew a sword to kill me. I then cried out, ‘For the love of Mary, don’t kill me, and I will indeed change my life.’ He replied, ‘This was the only means that could save you. Learn to make a good use of it; it is the last mercy you will receive.’ With these words he left me. I immediately came here to entreat you to receive me into your order.” —St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
Is there some sin into which I repeatedly fall, which makes me despair of God’s mercy? Have I asked Mary’s assistance to overcome that particular habit of sinning?

CLOSING PRAYER
From a “Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help”: You are the advocate of the most wretched and abandoned sinners who turn to you. Come then to my aid, dearest Mother, for I entrust myself to you.

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